Monthly Archives: October 2014

Featured image for Chidago Canyon.

Chidago Canyon Petroglyphs

This famous site is one of the better known and oldest sites in the Volcanic Tablelands area. These petroglyphs are believed to date back at least 3,500 years, and some of them could date back around 8,000 years, when the area was first settled.

Today it is partially fenced to deter vandals, and this is unfortunately needed, given the vandalism the site has suffered over the years: shotgun damage as well as graffiti.

Fortunately, most of the petroglyphs survive intact and the site is still well worth a visit. Continue reading

Featured photo for Beautiful Rain.

“Beautiful Rain” Pictographs

The presence of rake-like elements in pictographs is said to refer to rain.  Another interesting observation is that the rake-like pattern was one of the more frequently described images from a study of the effects of hallucinogenic substances on the mind.

The pictograph boulder has three overhangs, to the north, southeast, and southwest. The northern overhang is to the left in this picture.

The pictograph boulder has three overhangs, to the north, southeast, and southwest. The northern overhang is to the left in this picture.

With that in mind, let’s examine these pictographs. Continue reading